Colorado Spring, Colo. – Four George Mason wrestlers participated in the U23 Men's Freestyle Olympic Team Camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center from June 30-July 10.
 
Patriots Kaden Cassidy, Drew Dickson, Evan Maag, and DJ McGee attended the elite camp led by 2006 World Champion Coach Bill Zadick.
 
"The camp was opportunity for our student-athletes to train and wrestle with some of the best wrestlers in the country as well as in the world," said George Mason Head Coach Frank Beasley. 
 
The entire squads of the 2024 Olympic Freestyle Team, 2024 U23 Freestyle Team, 2024 U20 Freestyle Team, and U17 Freestyle Team trained at the camp. 
 
The 10-day camp consisted of a morning video study followed by a practice and a second practice later in the afternoon.
 
All four wrestlers had good takeaways from their experience.
 
Drew Dickson: "Going to the Olympic training center for the Men's Freestyle Olympic Team Camp was an amazing experience. Getting to train with and around Olympians gave me an opportunity to see how the best guys in the world train and operate. I was exposed to some of the best coaching and training that the sport has to offer. The experience I had at the OTC will benefit me for the duration of my college career."
 
Kaden Cassidy: "Being at the Olympic Training Center, surrounded by the nation's top wrestlers, was a truly remarkable experience. Observing firsthand how Olympians and world team members train to be the best offered invaluable insights into the dedication and discipline required to reach that elite level. This experience reaffirmed my belief in the strength of George Mason wrestling and how close our team is to reaching our goals, thanks to our use of many of the same training methods as these elite men and women."
 
DJ McGee: "Training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs is equivalent to stepping into a realm where dedication meets excellence. To be surrounded by Olympians who are some of the best wrestlers in the world, as well as national champions and All-Americans at the highest level, all being from diverse backgrounds and individual journeys, I felt every moment at the OTC fuels the pursuit of greatness not only on a personal level but for the sport of wrestling in general."
 
Evan Maag: "Training at the Olympic Training Center for the wrestling camp was a great experience. Being able to talk with and witness the Olympians in action, and seeing how they compete was a very cool experience. Being able to learn from a large group of wrestlers from various schools, and making connections with other athletes, not only in wrestling but other sports as well, will definitely help me in my future as a wrestler".